The Fort Worth Stock Yard Company's wooden horse and mule barns on this site were destroyed by fire on March 14, 1911, the opening day of the Feeders and Breeders show, later the Southwestern Exposition & Fat Stock Show. The show opened as planned, with former President Theodore Roosevelt giving the opening address. The company immediately announced plans to replace the barns with new concrete and steel fireproof buildings. Completed in March 1912, the new barns measured 540' x 350' and had capacity for 3000 animals. Costing $300,000, they were considered among the finest stables in the world. Activity here increased considerably in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I, when European armies needed great numbers of horses and mules and agents came in large numbers to Fort Worth to buy stock, spending $11 million. During that time, Fort Worth was designated the largest horse and mule market in the world. The wide space between the buildings came over the years to be called Mule Alley, and in recent years the barns have been used for various cultural activities and annual events.